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intermediate concept

What is Depth Map?

A representation of the distance between the camera and objects in a scene. Used in AI video for camera effects, parallax, and 3D-aware generation.

How it works

A depth map is a grayscale image where pixel brightness represents distance from the camera. Bright areas are close, dark areas are far away. In AI video production, depth maps enable several important capabilities: 3D camera movements that parallax correctly (closer objects move more than distant ones), selective focus effects (bokeh/depth of field), and more physically accurate scene generation. Some AI video tools use depth maps as input conditioning to control the spatial arrangement of generated content. Understanding depth maps is essential for advanced camera control and achieving cinematic-quality output.

Tools that use depth map

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

What does depth map mean in AI video?
A representation of the distance between the camera and objects in a scene. Used in AI video for camera effects, parallax, and 3D-aware generation.

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